Lakota Dark Clouds

                                    

                                                                     

                     Lakota Dark Clouds

I got on my horse and we headed north
Never guessin' what might come forth

As we trotted along into the Black Hills mouth

I began to wonder, should we be goin' south?

Above us were loomin' those Lakota Dark Clouds

Bearing down upon us, yes, Lakota Dark Clouds

Drummin' in the distance, had heard that sound before

Smoke was risin' from that distant plateau floor

Our scout returnin' began to come in view

Sitting Bull was spotted, what're we gonna do?

All 'round us we're seein' Lakota Dark Clouds

Growin' bigger, oh yes, Lakota Dark Clouds

Coyote calls were heard as the sun began to set

Fears were growin' but the real danger not yet met

Wind was howlin' down the narrow canyon walls

To keep on goin' would take some real big balls

In the twilight, still see those Lakota Dark Clouds

Gettin' darker, oh yes, Lakota Dark Clouds

Sittin' on our bedrolls, eatin' beans warmed in the fire

Gettin' home alive, our only real desire

Nervous whispers and restless sleep that night

While changin' lookouts, guarded the moonlight

In the dark, still feelin' those Lakota Dark Clouds

Seems like always with us, yes, Lakota Dark Clouds

Startled awake by a soaring hawk's daybreak call

Climb back on horses, feelin' small, but sittin' tall

Must keep movin' forward, as quiet as we can

Crossed the line of safety for ordinary man

Now turquoise skies, are there no Lakota Dark Clouds?

Pray we make it through, safe from Lakota Dark Clouds

Trails are gettin' rugged, begin to feel hemmed in

Ledges all around us, thinkin' 'bout next o' kin

The map showed a clear passage to our far off goal

But we're in a box canyon, the walls dark as coal

Look up, rollin' in are those Lakota Dark Clouds

They're back again, oh yes, Lakota Dark Clouds

Reachin' the ridge, head down to the forest below

Many foot paths trampled, we hope by wild doe

It all seems too quiet, no singin' by the birds

Look off in the distance, see no buffalo herds

All around are growin' those Lakota Dark Clouds

No doubt about it, ah yes, Lakota Dark Clouds

Natives all around us, we had no place to go!

Bull, no longer sittin', came t'ward us, awful slow

Now no chance of runnin', as captured in their trap 

Sitting Bull had waited, we landed in his lap

Our hearts sank low, done in by Lakota Dark Clouds

We'll never escape now from Lakota Dark Clouds

We felt a strong proud presence, on us it did pull
Made the great Sun Dance Alliance, here Sitting Bull

He warned of his vision, soldiers falling nearby

Peered into my eyes, "like grasshoppers from the sky"

We're now at the mercy of Lakota Dark Clouds

Will they make us suffer, those Lakota Dark Clouds?

Having heard our sad story and pleas for escape

He considered our future, we're now in bad shape

Looks after these people in their island of trees

We all stood there a shakin', while tryin' to freeze

For all 'round us we're feelin' Lakota Dark Clouds

Far above and beyond us, Lakota Dark Clouds

We had entered the sacred center of their world

For nine thousand years, here Indian lives have swirled

"But you're not the enemy we'll soon be facing 

Trespassing white man soldiers, we'll surely be chasing"

Ancient lands looked over by Lakota Dark Clouds

Dark forests of life under Lakota Dark Clouds

"The Great Spirit gave us Pahá Sápa, this land
Hunting grounds to nourish, so here we make our stand 

Go back to your world, your families to grow

And here supernatural powers we'll show"

Ancient truths intoned under Lakota Dark Clouds

Our lives don't belong under Lakota Dark Clouds

Sitting Bull bowed before us, and we can depart

Relieved, we thank him, from the bottom of our heart

Need not be welcomed, anywhere we wish to go

Create our own future, while not makin' a foe 

Around we admire these Lakota Dark Clouds

Home to proud people under Lakota Dark Clouds

We mounted our horses and followed their guides   

Headin' south with great gifts of buffalo hides

More tribes still a'comin', Alliance would grow

Secure ancient homelands, invaders reap what they sow

We learned a good lesson from Lakota Dark Clouds

Proud people protected by Lakota Dark Clouds

©  Ron Chester 2010  ALL RIGHTS RESERVED